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Auction: 5005 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 48

An Outstanding Pathfinder´s D.S.O., D.F.C. and Bar Group of Eight to Master Bomber, Squadron Leader J. ´Zulu Jim´ Malley, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, a Veteran of the ´1000 Bomber Raids´ on Cologne and Essen, whose 127 Operational Sorties included 53 Trips in Mosquitoes; 31 to Berlin a) Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, gilt slightly worn, lower suspension bar dated ´1945´; b) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse dated ´1941´, with Second Award Bar, reverse dated ´1943´; c) 1939-45 Star d) Air Crew Europe Star, with France and Germany Bar e) Africa Star, with North Africa 1942-43 Bar f) Italy Star g) Defence and War Medals, nearly extremely fine, the group mounted court style as originally worn h) Observer´s and Air Gunner´s Flying Log Book (5.7.1940 - 8.6.1945), D.S.O. case of issue, Workshop Note Book, photographs, survey map of South West England, two menus-one signed by ´Montgomery of Alamein´, 139 Squadron Wall Plaque, 27cm x 22.3cm, in gilt metal; and Squadron Leader´s, named, Tunic complete with Observer Wings and Riband bars (8) Estimate £ 5,000-6,000 D.S.O. London Gazette 26.10.1945 James Young Malley, D.F.C. (88695) R.A.F.V.R., 139 Squadron The Recommendation states: ´Since being awarded a First Bar to the D.F.C. after completing 74 heavy bomber sorties, this Officer has completed a further 53 operational sorties on Mosquito aircraft, making a total of 127. Many sorties carried out on this tour have been against the most heavily defended targets in Germany, including Berlin, which he has attacked on 27 occasions. All his sorties on this tour have been in the important role of primary blind marker. Throughout this lengthy period he has had many arduous experiences and many times has his aircraft been hit by flak. Invariably his courage, coolness and accurate navigation under the most difficult circumstances have largely contributed to the successful completion of his task, and safe return to base. In spite of his long operational career, and numerous harrowing experiences he has never tired, and his keenness to operate and his courage and tenacity at all times have been a shining example and a source of confidence and pride to the whole Squadron. I strongly recommend the non-immediate award of the D.S.O..´ D.F.C. London Gazette 21.11.1949 Malley James Young, PO (88695) R.A.F.V.R. 149 Sqn. The Recommendation states: ´P/O Malley has been employed as an Observer in this Squadron for the last six months. His ability as a navigator cannot be disputed, as he has successfully attacked the primary target on the majority of his raids, and some of the best night photographs taken by this Squadron during the past six months are due to his outstanding ability and the perfection of his training of the crew. On several occasions this Officer and his Captain have spent up to two hours trying to locate the primary target and then being unable to locate the primary target have flown at a very low altitude to find a railway and then followed it until an important junction has been reached when systematic bombing has been carried out. His determination to attack the primary target or, under conditions of adverse weather, a target of major importance, is an example to the other observers in the Squadron. The standard he has set is the perfection peak to be aimed at, and by his example he has assisted considerably our war effort.´ D.F.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 23.7.1943 Malley James Young D.F.C. Flight Lieutenant (88695) R.A.F.V.R. 178 Sqn. The Recommendation states: ´F/Lt., Malley has now completed 487 hours operational flying in the European and Middle East theatre of war. His work in this Squadron both on the ground as Navigation Officer and in the air has been most praiseworthy. His cool determination in attacking the target in adverse weather conditions and in the face of heavy opposition has made his work outstanding and an excellent example for his fellow squadron members. On the 6th Aug. 42 he was Navigator (B) in the leading aircraft of a formation which attacked shipping in Tobruk harbour in daylight. Despite intense anti-aircraft he achieved excellent results.´ Squadron Leader James Young Malley, D.S.O., D.F.C. and Bar (1918-2000), educated at Dungannon Royal School, Northern Ireland; joined the Royal Air Force as Navigator - Bomb Aimer 3.1.1940; posted Pilot Officer 149 Squadron (Wellingtons), 1941; on his First Tour of Operations he flew in the Vickers Wellington F For Freddie, later of ´Target for Tonight´ (1941) fame; operations included Hamburg (3 times); Brest (6 times), Dusseldorf (3 times); the 35th and last mission of his first tour was to Berlin (2.11.1941), from which 37 of 74 aircraft did not return; after five months as Instructor at Mildenhall he volunteered for the first 1,000 bomber raid over Cologne (30.5.1942), and for the second, to Essen (1.6.1942); ´I was due for posting to Scotland as instructor, but there was a fellow due to go back on ops and he didn´t want to, so we agreed to change.´; posted 178 Squadron (Liberators), 1942; for his Second Tour of Operations he flew out of Tel Aviv, 32 trips including Tobruk (4 times) and Benghazi (6 times); Flight Lieutenant 8.12.1942; on completion of his second tour Malley returned to England and was promoted Squadron Leader in charge of navigation training at the Officer Training Unit (June 1943 - June 1944); ´And then I put in an application to get back in operations on Mosquitoes. They made me go back for a full medical. I was turned down! But I appealed against it. I went to number one medical training unit, then, luckily the Air Commodore was a man called O´Mally. He said, "Well, I couldn´t pass you, but I´m not going to fail you." So I went for training for Pathfinders.´; posted to 139 Squadron (Mosquitoes), 1944; ´I flew 53 missions on my last tour. They were all fairly well the same [29 of which being over Berlin!], though we took a hiding once or twice. One on a night when we had flown 10 nights in a row and were heading for a world record and our Commanding Officer was very keen for us to go on. We shouldn´t have taken off on the 11th night at all because the forecast was damn bad. It was low cloud all over England, and when we got back and found it like this, we had to go down to the south of England. We lost three crews, and about five aircraft out of our ten. My crew were damned lucky to survive, because we came through at about 300 feet underneath the clouds, and found ourselves clean over the runway. I flew 127 missions in all. We didn´t know our last was going to be our last because at that time we were supposed to lead a daylight raid to Berlin with the whole of Bomber Command and the Americans but luckily peace came a few days before. Then I wasn´t allowed to go out to Japan. I was always very lucky with the crews. We were always friends. That was the best part. I don´t remember targets and hits anymore, but I remember that: the crews were always friends.´ [Malley´s typed war memoirs refer]. After the War Squadron Leader Malley re-joined the Civil Service and held a post (during the 1960´s) in the private office of the then Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, Terrence O´Neill.

Sold for
£6,500